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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (March 22, 1962)
Prairieland Talk "Son Carries on Dad's Work" By ROMAINE SAUNDERS, 4111 South 51st St., Lincoln 6, Nebr. James Davidson stood at the work bench in the tin shop at the rear of J. J. McCafferty's hardware store that stood where the inis depot now’ is, and Jim formed useful household things out of sheets of tin and made the hay burners of sheet iron we pioneers out on the Holt county prairies used to heat the abode with. Some time later Jim had a little "tin shop” of his own to the west ot the hardware store at aixxjt the middle of the block. Then a much larger place of business to the east and across the street. Furnaces and water pipes had come into use and Jim and his sons set these up Romalae and got m«xlom home life and church and business places thus equipped. lake ither useful citizens of the O’Neill community James Davidson passed out of the picture, his lifeless form at rest up there to the northwest in the abode of the dead. And I understand that a ron of Mr. and Mrs. James Davidson perpetuates the industrial traditions of his father. And he, too, will pass away in the march along the highway of life. • * * A kindly note comes to me from the Rother ham household in the Ewing community, in which they toil of the pleasure they and others in that vicinity get out of reading Prairieland Talk. I am glad they do and trust I may yet be inspired to put a touch of literary gloss on things of pioneer life, from Ewing to Stuart, from Dorsey to Dustin, from Chambers to the Eagle creek country. * * * Smile and the crowd smiles with you. Weep and you weep alone. But why not sigh over wrongs I have done and not try to laugh them off. * * * The morning of the first day of the second week in March as I touch again typewriter keys to talk a hit to Prairieland friends. 1 look out of my window and there it lays, a blanket of snow, a cold morn ing cloudy and sunless. And I recall a March day in O'Neill in 1908 that a blizzard hit us that inspired Mrs. Ed F. Gallagher, mother of Edward Mann Gallagher, to tell us it was another January 12, ’88 blizzard. Yes, it was but much milder, did not rage for hours as the '88 storm did. We are still enjoying or hating cold winter days, but the flowers will bloom again and the silken rol>e of green lay where today we see the snow. My son, Romaine, got aboard an airplane in a New England state city this morning, flew to Los Angeles, across the con tinent in half a day. Our ancestors made it in about half a year in their wagons, 20 miles in a day about the best they could do. * * * We travel life’s highway from the day of our birth to the day of our death. How we have traveled life’s highway determines what awaits us on the morning of the resurrection. * * * About where the Short Line depot was built on South 4th street was the home and work shop of a gun smith in the 1880’s, his name at present gone front me, hut probably Henry Grady could tell us. In early times you had to have a gun, maybe one strapped on each hip. Beside these a shot gun at home with which to go prairie chicken hunting. And at times one of tlio.se guns at a guy’s hip blazed away at someone and dropped him to earth. A. H. Blineo had another gun shop at 6th and Douglas streets. Now no prairie chickens, no deer, no human enemy, so no guns, but a few bad words if you meet up with a one time friend. World's Fair. Our noted city to the far north west. Seattle, Wash., has it this time. Buffalo Bill’s outfit, a "Wild West” humpty-dumpty, was at a like affair in Chicago back in the 90’s. Nebraska cowboys got up a horse race from Chadron to Chi cago, the race won by Rattle Snake Pete riding a buckskin bronco. Maybe some of our filling station boys ccukl grasp the steering wheel and head for the X 62 World’s Fair in an automobile race. Mr. and Mrs. Dave Segelman would give them the glad hand as they pulled to a stop in Seattle. • • • Take it easy today. Tomorrow you may have to go to work sawing wood or shoveling snow. » * * Mr. Bush, a dairyman who brings the bottles of milk to my daughter’s door, informs me he has a brother who a few years ago was the Atkinson school head. He is now in Chicago in church work Coking after the business affairs of a district of the Methodist church. • * • In our Capital City you can get it in a bottle, ut not by the drink over the bar as Bob Marsh erved it to Squire Slattery, I. R. Smith, and many others. But Lincoln citizens will vote on it next •lection day, drink by the glass or just a bottle full of the stuff that has put up several million alco holics in our fair land. A bottle full or a cup full, it does the job just the same. * * * Frontier readers will be interested in the fol lowing letter from a former Nebraska citizen now in California: Temple City, California March 7, 1962 ivir. k. »aunuers, Dear Mr. Saunders: Just a note to tell you again that I enjoy your Prairieland Talks in the O’Neill paper. It's the first thing I read. You don’t know me, and me not you, but it eems like I know you from your writings. I am ~ne of the old timers in that sandhill country too. 1 came from Denmark in 1911 and landed in Val entine on a ranch and was there for a few years. Went to school in Lincoln for 2 years, but during World War I I quit school and went back to Valen tine. I landed in Butte, Nebr. 1920 and was there all the time up till 3 years ago when I retired and came out here. I am, like you in Lincoln, homesick for the wide open spaces. I don’t like it. here tho the climate is perfect for people past 40. I am 72 and I think a bit younger than you. I like to raise ilowers and gardens, and this is near like paradise for that, but there are too many people, and we don’t know any of them. We have 2 sons who live here, and two grandsons who we get lots of pleasure out of but we miss the Nebraska friends. We also miss the cold and the wind and the snows and all the other things unpleasant but it was home, and always will be. I don t suppose we will ever go back. We have n ■ people back there, and we sold all our property so there is nothing to go back for. You are having some bad weather in Lincoln, so I see on TV and the Norfolk paper. We have had an awful lot of rain here this year. Much more than usual. By the way, I use to buy cream for the Beatrice Creamery there in Lincoln. Had a very nice busi ness, but the big cans got too heavy. I wish I was back there again. Hope this will find you real chipper, and that you will keep on writing to the paper for a long *ime. Your unknown friend, N. C. Andersen Editorial Amended Policy On Letters the r rontier in me past has adhered to a policy of withholding, on request, the names of those who wrote letters to the editor. We’ve changed that policy, and from now on every letter published will have to bear the name of the writer. We are not at all convinced that anonymity in our Letters to the Editor column is a good thing, it tends to encourage irresponsible writing, and it leaves those who might be a target of such writing in the dark as to the source. If the subject of an anonymous letter is a mat ter on which all or most of the public would agree, like a plug for the Boy Scouts or a pat on the back for church support, the letter might just as well carry the name of the one who penned it. And if the subject is controversial, like the current school issue in O'Neill, the one who holds an opinion should be willing to stand behind it with his name. We want letters to the editor, and the more we get the happier we are because letters make good reading. But we w’ant names on the bottom erf those letters, and from here on out we’ll include the writer’s actual name with each letter we print. Since vve are responsible for the views set forth n our editorial department as well as the contents of the rest of the paper we do not feel that it is asking too much to ask contributors to the Letters to the Editor column to share part of the responsi bility' for their views by signing their own name to their letters. SANTA PAULA. CALIF.. CHRONICLE: “Presi dent Kennedy, in voicing his disapproval of the pro visions for a 25-hour work week written into a con tract by an eastern electrical labor union, echoed the feelings of all who have the nation’s future at heart. As he indicated, anything that tends to lessen our productivity' cannot serve the best interests of the country.” SPRING VALLEY. N. Y„ LEADER: “The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot—it can’t be done. Passage of the proposed Federal Aid to Education will pro vide a law that does not prohibit paying a lot and getting a little.” FARMINGDALE, N. J.. HOWELL BOOSTER: “The Communists tell the Russian people that Am erica is the worst place in the world, that half of us are starving to death—in the very next breath the’ are bragging that in the next couple of years they will catch up with our standard of living.” Snow vs. Lazy Youngsters Several hundred sets of parents in our home town are missing a wonderful opportunity to teach their sons a few facts of life by allowing the lazy youngsters to sit on their rears while the snow shovel remains undisturbed in the comer of the garage. It not only is strange that so many families with grown men and husky boys allow sidewalks to go unscraped, but it also is a strong sign of un teighborliness and poor citizenship. This is particu larly true with those selfish souls who somehow work up enough effort to clear a narrow path out to their own cars, but who leave the heavy snow on the main sidewalks where all passersby slip and stumble, get their shoes wet and sometimes take serious falls. Hundreds of snowy walks were cleared today by widows and older people, not for their own safety so much, but in a desire to be good citizens and to provide better walking conditions for others. When older men and women can do this it is difficult to understand why so many young men, and so many dear little fellows of tender high school and college age, will sit. on their duffs, too lazy to get outside and do a little beneficial work. Snow storms help to reveal that America needs a little less tax-supported organized play and con siderably more work for boys and young men.— Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World. ^SLFrontTer BRUCE J. REHBERG, Editor BILL RICHARDSON, Publisher Terms oi Subscription: In Nebraska, S2-50 per year; elsewhere in the United States, S3 per year, rate abroad provided upon request. All subscrip tions payable in advance. Entered at the postoffice in O’Neill, Holt coun ty, Nebraska, as second-class mail matter under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. This news paper is a member of the Nebraska Press Asso ciation, National Editorial Association and the Audit ’•ureau of Circulations. Frontiers Ago 50 YEARS AGO Leo Mullen went down to Co lumbus last Sunday to attend an initiation of the K. C. lodge. . . Funeral services were held Tues day for J. J. Halloran at In man. . B. E. Young of Carroll recently moved out on the Joyce farm near the city. . .Joe Hunter and wife went to Omaha Wed nesday with their daughter, Mrs. John Brady who is on her way to her home in Alberta, Canada. . Marriage licenses were issued Wednesday by County Judge Car Ion to Bror Bengoton, Page, and Orinda Ames, Orchard; also Bert E. Harding, O’Neill, and Esther O. Johnson, Joy. . .Pat Shea, who is holding down a homestead near Buffalo, S. D., came down the latter part of last week to spend two months here. 25 YEARS AGO Bill Hammond jr., a resident of O’Neill will become an editorial worker on one of Southern Cali fornia’s leading community news papers in the near future. . Wa ter pipe leak floods three offices in new courthouse building. . . At a meeting Tuesday night the City Council voted against put ting up the swimming pool bond issue before the people at city election. . W. E. Meals, a for mer O’Neill resident, is in New York City arranging the purchase of equipment for mine develop ment to be carried out by the company he represents in South Africa. . .Bernard Kennedy re ceives bruises and cuts when two wheels of a hay wagon passes over him. 10 YEARS AGO Hunt for unknown assassin of Police Chief Calkins continues by authorities; memorial fund rea ches $2,500 mark. . .Mr. and Mrs Kay Kurtz celebrate their gold en wetklmg anniversary March 18 by open house at the home at their son-in-law and daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cooper in O'Neill. . .Mrs. L. L. Cosner, 81, a resident of Stjart for many years, died at the home of her v.augtuer, Mrs D. B. Marcetlus March 17. . .John Kersenbrock, iormer mayor of O'Neill and a petition candidate for the same office this year, has advised City Clerk O. D. French that be is withdrawing from the mayoralty race. 5 YEARS AGO J. Q. Archer, 68, Ewing, dies March 15 at his home after suf fering a stroke seven years ago. . .Lyle Heiss and Marilyn Ter rill were crowned king and queen Wednesday evening at the Page high school athletic banquet. . . Colleen Terry O’Sullivan, Van Nuys, Calif., great granddaughter of Mrs. George Bowden, O'Neill and James Reed Dawson, Phoe nix, Ariz., are married Sunday at Van Nuys. . .O'Neill junior Eag les are champions of Holt coun ty grade school basketball tour nament; Chambers takes runner up position. . Randy Curran and Patsy Davidson are crowned king and queen of the Irish fair at St. Mary's. I The Long Ago At Chambers 50 YEARS AGO Owing to the bad storm Wed nesday several that were plan ning to move, changed their plans and stayed by the fire. . . Ben Hubbard was kicked by a horse last week which put him out of business for a few days but he was not seriously disabled . . Miss Marie Alderson has be n appointed instructor in the School of Commerce at Wesleyan University in Lincoln. . .Carey Jones and family are moving this week into the Leli house which Mr. June, recently purchased A program will be given by the Chambers public schools in the Band Hall in the near future . . The Rev Issac Hunted died at Chambers March 12. . Funer. 1 services were held Tuesday for the Rtv. Newell Samuel Lcwrie, 80. 25 YEARS AGO Mr. and Mrs. Gaius Winter mote, who are moving to Wash ington, were honored at a fare well party in the Ray Hoffman home. . .Announcement has been received of the marriage of Miss Norma Coppoc, formerly of the Martha community, and Mr.1 C. R. VerMaas, both of Lincoln.: . .Mr. and Mrs. Herman Hol comb were honored March 10 when about 60 guests helped them celebrate their 25th wedding anni versary. . Virginia Lambert, Ew-j ing, and Joe Wadsworth, Middle Branch, were married March 13 at the Presbyterian Manse in O' Neill; the Rev. H. D. Johnson performed the ceremony. . A farewell social will be held Fri day for Mr. and Mrs. Louie Neil son. .Mrs. Walt Feihn entertain ed the Hi-Lo bridge club Thurs day evening. Deloit News By Mnt. H. Kelmer From Last W<>ek) The HEO club met Thursday at the Clarence Schmiser home. Since the leaders were unable to attend because of road conditions, no lesson was given. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bartak and Christy called Wednesday on Mrs. Anna Savage whose birthday anniversary was Thursday. Mrs. Bill Gibbs and new daugh ter called at the L. L. Bartak home Friday. Sam Verhune, who has b en staying at the Ewald Spahn home, is staing at the Anna Savage home in Ewing attending high | school, and spends weekends at .Spahns. Mrs. Louts Pofah! has been hospitalized in Neligh recently. Mrs Alice Lodge is ill at the home of her daughter in Norfolk Mary Jo Steam*, baby ilauah ler of .Mr. and Mr*. Sant Stearns wtu> was hospitalised In \ellsh last week, was reported imprived at this time. Charles Bartak, C'Mthy, Christy and Chuck called on Anna Savage Saturday Tlte Debit pinochle club was postponed this month. Mrs Gene Tom jack. California, who with her two children is staying at the R. M. Tomjacks.® mad* a trip to *u*sd*F with Mr and Mrs Earl Schindler Many folks wen* untihl* to K1* l, chirrh Friday evening «« Sunday morning due to storm conditions. (VMINO Tilt KHDAY! Cut V w n> t rr»l»n »f tin* New Model loin John l»e«*rr Tractor On IMtplwy to a-in. to t !»•*". This is a tractor cut In half arul shows nil of the working |uirt» In action. IIAKKY K. SMITH IMF. NOTICE Butte Livestock Mkt. No More Special Saturday Sales Combined Hog & Cattle Sales EACH WEDNESDAY All Sales HI!! Start at I2:SO P.M. You may contact either Ed Thorln at O’Neill or Roy Klrwan of Butte See us for your farm Auction* Personal property and land Hide*. Extensive advertising program j EI>. 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